Apparatus for reproducing phonographic records.



No. 742,455. v V PATENTED OCT. 27,1903. T. B. LAMBERT. A APPARATUS FORREPRODUGING PHONOGRAPHIO RECORDS.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 14, 1900.

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UNITED STATES Patented October 2'7, 1963.

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS E. LAMBERT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LAMBERT COMPANY, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR REPRODUC ING PHONOGRAPHIC RECORDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 742,455, dated October27, 1903.

Application filed June 14, 1900.

T at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. LAMBERT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for ProducingDuplicate Phonographic' Records, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates particularly to the processes by which theordinary record now used in connection withphonographs may be duplicatedany number of times, and especially to the reproduction ofindestructible records, all of which will more fully hereinafter appear.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple,economical, and efficient apparatus for producing duplicate phonothe20th day of March, 1900, and which it is therefore unnecessary to showand describein detail. here. The inner side of this copper matrix isprovided, as is shown in the abovenamed patent, with a negativeduplicate of a record-cylinder, and in order to make duplicates of thesame I place Within such matrix ablank record-cylinder B, formed ofcelluloid or similar substance. In fact, it can be formed of anysubstance which is susceptible of being softened by heat and rehardenedby cooling. This blank record, which may be made of celluloid or otherdesirable material, is,,as above stated, placed within the matrix, sothat the record and matrix both rest upon a base C of the machine, whichacts as a closure for one end of the record- Serial No. 20,285. (Nomodel.)

chamber 19. Ahead portion D is next provided and placed upon the recordcylinder to complete the closure thereof. An air-tight chamher, which Iwill designate as the recordchamber, is thus formed within the blankrecord -'cylinder and between the movable head D and the base C. Thismovable head should be of such diameter as to leave anopening between itand the matrix when the head is in contact with the record-cylinder at apoint within or near the matrix, and the opening should be narrower thanthe thickness of the record-cylinder. The opening will then be closedand sealed by the recordcylinder when pressure sufficient to expand itis applied within, and, as will be readily seen, this opening affords anoutlet for the air to escape between the head and matrix and frombetween the record-cylinder and matrix. This arrangement of the head andmatrix leaves the matrix to rest loosely upon the base without anythingto hold it unyieldingly against the base. The natural irregularities ofthe adjacent surfaces of the matrix and base thus afford a sufficientopening between the lower end of the matrix and base to permit air toescape from between the record-cylinder and matrix. In fact, in theabsence of anything to hold the matrix rigidly and unyieldingly againstthe basesuch, for instance, as a head in unyielding contact with theopposite end of the matriX-the application of the pressure within therecord-cylinder will force the air from between the record-cylinder andbase however regular their adjacent surfaces may be. The naturalirregularities of the adjacent surfaces, however, insure a sufficientvent when the relation of the head and matrix is as described. Agear-spindle E, slidably arranged above the head, is allowed to dropdown thereon. A

weighted lever G is provided and mounted upon the shaft g, that carriesa pinion H, which meshing with a rack e operates the spindle above namedand in connection with a stop-screw I determines the position and theamount of pressure with which this spindle may rest on the head. It isnow desirable to soften the record-cylinder, so that it may be expandedout against the record-surface of the matrix. In order to accomplishthis, a fluid, preferably steam under about thirty pounds pressure tothe square inch, is forced into the record-chamber through apressure-supply pipe J, which is connected by means of a branch pipe Jwith a suitable source of steam-supply. The steam is permitted to escapeagain out through an exhaust-pipe K, connected with the outer air bymeans of the branch K. The steam is kept at a substantially uniformpressure within the recordchamber, so as to by means of its peculiarheating qualities and other actions soften the record and force it outagainst the inner indented surface of the matrix. After this has beenaccomplished, and experience teaches the operator j ust how long undercertain pressure it takes steam to accomplish this result,

the steam-supply is shut off by means of the valve j, and a supply ofair under pressure is permitted to enter through the supply-pipe J byopening the valvej on a second branch pipe J which connects with asource of air under pressure and keeps up practically the same pressureas heretofore, but leaving the valve on the exhaust-pipe open, so thatall moisture and steam are blown out of the cylinder formed by therecord, as above described. When the steam has been blown out, the nextstep is to shut off the valve 70 and permit air under the desiredpressure to stay in the record-chamber until such blank record issubstantially forced into all the indentations made by the record on theinner surface of the copper matrix. As soon as this has beenaccomplished the air-supply is shut off, leavingjust enough air insidethe recordchamber to cool the same, and the exhaustvalve 70 is openedsufliciently to permit the air to blow through under certain pressure,and thus assist materially in cooling the record-cylinder. When theduplication of the record-cylinder has been completed, the spindle E israised, the head D removed, and the matrix, with its duplicate record,removed from contact with the apparatus. The cooling of therecord-cylinder also shrinks it, so that it can be easily removed fromengagement with the matrix.

Whenever desirable or necessary, the outer periphery of the matrix maybe backed by plaster-of-paris, having a lead or other metallicconfining-ring to give it sufficient rigidity to secure the duplicationor reproduction of the records, and this is very clearly shown anddescribed in the patentabove referred to.

I claim- 1. In an apparatus for producing records of the classdescribed, the combination of a frame, a cylindrical matrix arrangedtherein, a base portion and a head portion arranged at each end of thematrix and adapted to 7 hold a blank record-cylinder within the matrix,forming in connection with and within the record-cylinder an air-tightchamber and arranged to leave a passage for air adjacent to the matrixand outside of the record-cylinder, and means for admitting fluid underpressure into the chamber within the recordcylinder, substantially asdescribed.

2. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of a frame, a cylindrical matrix arranged therein, astationary base, and a movable head portion arranged at each end of thematrix and adapted to hold a blank record-cylinder within such matrix,forming in connection with and within the record-cylinder an air-tightchamber and arranged to also form adjacent to the matrix and outside ofthe record-cylinder a.

passage for the outlet of air from within the,

matrix, means for admitting fluid under pressure into the chamber withinthe record-cylinder, and means for holding the movable head in operativecontact therewith, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of a frame, an open cylindrical matrix arranged thereinprovided with indentations upon its inner surface, a base portion and ahead portion arranged at each end of the matrix and adapted to partiallyclose the same and hold a blank record-cylinder within such matrix inposition to be operated upon and also formingin connection with andwithin such recordcylinder an air-tight chamber, means for admittingheated fluid under pressure into the chamber within the record-cylinder,means for permitting such fluid to escape, and means for admitting coolfluid within such chamber, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of a cylindrical matrix, a base portion, and a head portionarranged at the ends of the matrix and adapted to hold a blankrecord-cylinder within the matrix and close the ends of such cylinderforming in connection therewith a closed interior chamber, one of suchinclosing end portions being out of contact with the matrix,substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus forproducing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atone end thereof and in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinderto be 0perated upon, a head portion arranged in contact with the otherend of the blank recordcylinder and in connection with such cylinder andthe base forming a chamber within the record-cylinder, and means forfurnishing a supply of fluid under pressure into the chamber,substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atone end thereof and in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinderto be operated upon, a head portion in contact with the other end of theblank record-cylinder and in connection with such cylinder and the baseforming a chamber within the recordcylinder,and a pipe communicatingwith such ICC chamber adapted to form a passage for the admission offluid under pressure thereto, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atone end thereof and in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinderto be operated upon, a head portion arranged in contact with the otherend ofthe blank recordcylinder and adapted to form an outlet-passagecommunicating with the space between the record-cylinder and matrix andform in connection with the record-cylinder and base a chamber withinsuch cylinder, means for holding the head in engagement with therecord-cylinder, and means-for furnishing a supply of fluid underpressure to the chamber, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atone end thereof and in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinderto be operated upon, a head portion arranged in contact with the otherend of the blank recordcylinder and adapted to form an outlet-passagecommunicating with the space between the record-cylinder and matrix andform in connection with the record-cylinder and base a chamber withinsuch cylinder, a spindle operating against the headportion to hold it inengagement with the record, and a pipe leading into one end of thechamber for furnishing a supply of fluid under pressure, substantiallyas described.

9. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atone end thereof and in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinderto be 0perated upon, ahead portion arranged in contact with the otherend of the blank recordcylinder and adapted to form an outlet-passagecommunicating with the space between the record-cylinder and matrix andform in connection with the record-cylinder and base a chamber withinsuch cylinder, means for holding the head in engagement with therecord-cylinder independently of the matrix, a pipe communicating withsuch chamber and forming a passage for the admission of fluid underpressure thereto, and an exhaust-pipe also communicating with suchchamber to permit the fluid to escape therethrough, substantially asdescribed.

10. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atoneend thereof and in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinder to beoperated upon, a head portion arranged in contact with the other end ofthe blank recordcylinder and adapted to form an outlet-passagecommunicating with the space between the record-cylinder andmatrix andform in connect-ion with the record-cylinder and base a chamber withinsuch cylinder, means for holding the head in engagement with therecord-cylinder independently of the matrix, a supply-pipe forfurnishing steam under pressure to one end of the record-chamber, anexhaust-pipe connected with the recordchamber for permitting the steamto blow therethrough and exhaust therefrom, and a branch pipe connectedwith the supply-pipe for furnishing a supply of air under pressure tothe record-chamber, substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open'cylindrical matrix provided with soundrecordindentations thereon, a base portion arranged at one end thereof and incontact with the end of the blank record-cylinder to be operated upon, amovable head portion arranged in contact with the other end of the blankrecord-cylinder and adapted to form an outlet communicating with thespace between the record-cylinder and matrix and in connection with suchcylinder and the base forming a chamber within such record-cylinder, anda pipe arranged to communicate with the chamber and form a passage forthe admission of fluid under pressn re thereto, substantially asdescribed.

12. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix provided with soundrecordindentations thereon, a base portion arranged at one end thereof and incontact with the end of the blank record-cylinder to be operated upon, amovable head portion arranged in contact with the other end of the blankrecord-cylinder and adapted to form an outlet communicating with thespace between the record-cylinder and matrix and in connection with suchcylinder and the base forming a chamber within such record-cylinder, apipe arranged to communicate with such chamber and form a passage forthe admission of steam under pressure thereto, means for exhaustingsteam from the chamber, and means for furnishing a supply of cool fluidto such chamber,substantiallyas described.

13. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atone end thereof and in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinderto be operated upon, the head portion arranged in contact with the otherend of the blank record-cylinder and provided with means for holding theend of'such cylinder in operative contact with such head while such endis out of contact with the matrix and, in connec tion with such cylinderand the base, forniing a chamber within the record-cylinder, and meansfor furnishing a supply of fluid under pressure into the chamber,substantially as described.

14. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an ICL open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arrangedat one end thereof and in contact with the end of a blankrecord-cylinder to be operated upon, a head portion in contact with theother end of the blank record-cylinder and in connection with suchcylinder and the base forming a chamber within the record-cylinder,means for holding each of the ends of such cylinder in operative contactwith the cylinder-holding end portion while such cylinder end is out ofcontact with the matrix, and a pipe communicating with such chamberadapted to form a passage for the admission of fluid under pressurethereto, substantially as described.

15. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix, a base portion arranged atone end th'ereofand in contact with the end of a blank record-cylinderto be operated upon, a head portion arranged in contact with the otherend of the blank recordcylinder and adapted to form an outlet-passagecommunicating with the space between the record-cylinder and matrix andform in connection with the record-cylinder and base an innermostchamber within such cylinder, means for holding the head in engagementwith the record-cylinderindependently of the matrix, and means forfurnishing a supply of fluid under pressure to the chamber,substantially as described.

16. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix provided with soundrecordindentations thereon, a base portion arranged at one end thereof and incontact with the end of the blank record-cylinder to be operated upon, amovable head portion arranged in contact with the other end of the blankrecord-cylinder and out of contact with the matrix and forming inconnection with the base and cylinder a chamber, such head portion beingprovided with'means for holding the end of such cylinderin operativecontact with the head independently of the matrix to form a temporarypassage between the cylinder and matrix, and a pipe arranged tocommunicate with the chamber and form a passage for the admission offluid under pressure thereto, substantially as described.

17. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of an open cylindrical matrix provided with soundrecordindentations thereon, a base portion arranged at one end thereof and incontact with the end of the blank record-cylinder to be operated upon, amovable head portion arranged in contact with the other end of the blankrecord cylinder and, in connection with such cylinder and the base,forming a chamber within such record-cylinder, such head portion beingprovided with means for holding the end of the cylinder in operativecontact with the head independently of the matrix, a pipe arranged tocommunicate with such chamber and form a passage for the adbase portionadapted to receive and hold an indented matrix, a matrix mounted uponsuch v base and arranged to encircle the cylinder to be operated upon,means for forming a record-chamber in connection with the blank record,means for furnishing a supply of steam under pressure to therecord-chamber, and means for furnishing a supply of air to the samechamber, substantially as described.

19. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of a base portion adapted to receive and hold a cylindricalmatrix containing a blank recordcylinder and close one end of thechamber formed within such record-cylinder, a matrix provided withindentations upon its inner surface, a head portion arranged to closethe other end of the record-cylinder, means for holding the head inengagementwith the record, and means for furnishing a supply of steamunder pressure to the chamber formed by the record blank, substantiallyas described.

20. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of a base portion adapted to receive and hold a cylindricalmatrix containing a blank recordcylinder and arranged to close one endof the chamber formed Within such record-cylinder, a matrix providedwith indentations upon its inner surface, a head portion for closing theother end of the record-cylinder, a spindle operating against the headportion to hold it in engagement with the record, and a pipe leadinginto one end of the cylindrical chamber for furnishing a supply of steamunder pressure, substantially as described.

21. In an apparatus for producing records of the class described, thecombination of a base portion adapted to receive and hold a cylindricalmetallic matrix containing a blank record -cylinder and arranged toclose one end of the record chamber formed within such record-cylinder,a matrix provided with indentations upon its inner surface, aheadportion for closing the other end of the record-cylinder, a spindleoperating against the head portion to hold it in engagement with therecord, a pipe leading into one end of the record-chamber for furnishinga supply of steam under pressure, and means for furnishing a supply ofair to the cylindrical recordchamber above described,substantially asdescribed.

22. In an apparatus for forming records of the class described, thecombination of a base portion adapted to receive and hold a cylindricalmatrix carrying a blank record and close one end of the chamber formedwithin the blank record-cylinder, a matrix provided with indentations onits inner surface, ahead portion for closing the other end of therecord-cylinder, a spindle arranged to contact the head portion, aWeightedlever for operating the spindle and holding it at apredetermined pressure against the head, a pipe for furnishing a supplyof steam under pressure to one end of the record-chamber, and an exhaustpipe connected with the cylindrical record-chamber to permit the steamto blow therethrough and exhaust therefrom, substantially as described.

23. In an apparatus for forming records of the class described, thecombination of a base portion adapted to receive and hold a cylindricalmatrix and blank record-cylinder and close one end of the record-chamberformed within the blank record-cylinder, a matrix within which suchcylinder is mounted, a head portion for closing the other end of therecord-cylinder, a spindle arranged to contact the head portion, aweighted lever for operating the spindle and holding it at predeterminedpressure against the head, a supplypipe for furnishing a supply of steamunder pressure to one end of the record-chamber, an exhaust-pipeconnected with the recordchamber to permit the steam to blowtherethrough and exhaust therefrom, and a branch pipe connected with thesupply-pipe for furnishing a supply of air under pressure to therecord-chamber, substantially as described.

24. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination'of a matrixhaving a blank record-cylinder therein to be operated upon, a baseportion arranged at one end of the blank record-cylinder and extendingoutward radially of such cylinder beyond the inner walls thereof, a headportion arranged at the other end of the blank record-cylinder andextending outward radially of such cylinder beyond the inner wallthereof to close the end of such cylinder for forming a pressurechambertherein, and means forad-mitting fluid under pressure to such chamber,substantially as described.

25. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a baseportion arranged at one end of ablank record-cylinder to close the endof such cylinder, a head portion movable independently of such basearranged at the other end of the blank record-cylinder to close such endand form in connection with the I base and cylinder a chamber, amatrixarranged outside of the record-cylinder, and means for admitting fluidunder pressure to the chamber formed within the record-cylinder,substantially as described.

26. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a baseportion arranged at one end of a blank record-cylinder to close the endthereof and adapted to support a matrix thereon, a matrix mounted uponsuch base outside of the record-cylinder, a head portion arranged at theother end of the blank recordcylinder for closing such end and formingin connection with the base and record-cylinder a chamber, and means foradmitting fluid under pressure to such chamber, substantially asdescribed.

27. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a baseportion arranged at one end of a blank record-cylinder to close suchcylinder, a matrix mounted upon such base and arranged to surround thecylinder, a head portion movable independently of the base arranged atthe other end of the blank record-cylinder for closing such end andforming in connection with the base and recordcylinder apressure-chamber, means for supplying heated fluid under pressure tosuch chamber, means for exhausting such fluid therefrom, and means forsupplying cool fluid under pressure to such chamber, substantially asdescribed.

28. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a baseportion arranged at one end of a blank record-cylinder and extendingoutwardly radially of such cylinder beyond its inner wall to close theend thereof, a head portion movable independently of the base arrangedat the other end of the blank record-cylinder and extending outwardradially of such cylinder beyond its inner wall to close the end thereoffor forming a pressure-chamber within such cylinder, means for admittingsteam under pressure to such chamber, means for exhausting such steamtherefrom, and means for admitting air under pressure thereto,substantially as described.

THOMAS E. LAMBERT.

I Witnesses:

THOMAS F. SHERIDAN, BRIAN F. PHILPOT.

